Electric regulator



Feb. 10, 1953 A. TROFIMOV ELECTRIC REGULATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June12, 1948 INVENTOR.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 [GI l7 L A TROFIMOV ELECTRIC REGULATOR Feb. 10, 1953.

Filed June 12, 1948 Feb. 10, 1953 TRoFlMOv 2,628,341

ELECTRIC REGULATOR Filed June 12, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

FTT P Feb. 10, 1953 o ov 2,628,341

ELECTRIC REGULATOR Filed June 12, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

j Zer Fay 0770;

iTTOf/VEY Feb. 10, 1953 A. TROFIMOV ELECTRIC REGULATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed June 12, 1948 INVENTOR. Aer fio/fnvar FTTU P/VE) Patented Feb. 10,1953 UNITED STATES PA-TENT OFFICE- 2,628,341 ELECTRIC REGULATOR.

Lev A. Trofimov, Willoughby, Ohio Application June 12, 1948, Serial N 0.32,626

3 Claims.

This invention relates to electric controllers or regulators by which anelectrical quantity which tends to vary, for example voltage or current,is automatically maintained constant; and relates particularly to poweroperated controllers or regulators actuable by deviations of the electrical quantity from a predetermined value, and operating to counteract thetendency of the quanity to deviate from said value, to maintain it atsaid value. I

The object of the invention is to provide an improved regulating orcontrolling apparatus of this general class having the followingfeatures, among others, which distinguish it from prior apparatus.

A continuously running motor supplies torque to a transmission whichtransmits the torque difierentially to a torque developing element and apower output element. The amount of torque delivered at the outputelement is determined by the torque developed at the torque developingelement, and the latter is determined by the effect of an electricwinding of the transmission.

The winding is energized in correspondence with the electrical quantityto be regulated. The output element operates means to counteract thetendency of the electrical quantity to increase or decrease.

Among the advantages and improvements of such a regulator over priorregulators are that, the action to counteract deviation of theelectrical quantity from the desired value, begins im mediately whendeviation in either sense begins. or tends to begin, because the powersupplying motor is continuously running and no delay is introducedbecause of the time required to start or stop and reverse it; andbecause the rate at which the deviating quantity is returned or restoredto the desired predetermined value when it starts to deviate, isdirectly commensurable with the extent of its deviation. The regulationis exceedingly sensitive for a I like reason, and hunting is obviated.

driven transmission, and a direct current control;

Fig. 1A is'a fragmentary view of a part of Fig. 1, illustrating amodification;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l but for regulating the drop ofpotential in a generalized work circuit;

Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2 respectivelyillustrating modifications in which a single diiferential gearing isutilized with direct current control;

Figs. 5 and 6 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2 respectively utilizingdouble difierential gearing, and a direct current control, but forregulating alternating 1oad current and alternating load potentialrespectively;

Fig. 7 is a combined view similar to Figs. 3 and 4 utilizing a singledifferential gearing and direct current control but for regulatingeither alternating current or alternating potential;

Fig. 8 is a combined view similar to Figs. 1 and 2 utilizing doubledifierential gearing, but with "alternating current control forregulating either alternating current or alternating potential;

Fig. 9 is a combined view similar to Figs. 3 and 4 utilizing a singledifferential gearing, but with alternating current control, forregulating either alternating current or alternating potential.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. l, I have shown within the broken linerectangle l, a transmission comprising two diiierential gearings 2 and3.

The gearing 2 comprises a spider 4, rotatably supporting pinions 5-5,meshed with diiierential gears 6 and "I.

The gearing 3 comprises a spider 8 rotatably supporting pinions 9-9meshed with differential gears Ill and H.

The spiders have peripheral gear teeth mutually meshed at I2, and one ofthem, for example the spider 4, is meshed with a pinion l3 driven by amotor l4.

The motor it, energized from mains I5 may be considered as continuouslyrunning and continuously driving the spiders 4-8 in opposite directionsalthough of course a switch could be provided to cut the motor I4 ofiwhen the apparatus is not in use.

The gears B and It are connected to the rotors IB-l'l of electricgenerators l8--l9 driving them in opposite directions. The generatorshave fields 2B2l the windings only thereof being shown, and they arepoled to cause the potentials at the brushes of the generators to beopposed as indicated.

The rotors IB|1 are connected in a local-load circuit 22-23.

Preferably the gearing 2, and the generator is z are likethegearing .3and generator l9; so that 3 for a certain degree of energization of thefields 2I at which the fields may be said to be balanced, the generatorsproduce equal opposing output voltages and no current flows in the loadcircuit 2223 and the torques on the generators are equal, and theyrotate at the same speed; and. if thefield of one generator is energizedmore strongly than that of the other the potential of that generatorwill overcome that of the other generator and current will flow in thelocal circult and drive the other generator as a motor.

When the fields 2il2l are balanced as aforesaid, very small equal andopposite torques are, as a consequence, developed at the generators13-49 and at the gears 6- 48, and equal and opposite torques aredeveloped at the gears l-! i. The gears l-H are connected to gears 2fi23and communicate equal and opposite torques to them, and they in turn areboth meshed with a gear 28, connected by an output shaft 27 to aregulating arm 28; but because the torques at the gears 2% are oppositeand equal, they and the gears l'ii remain at rest, and the arm 23remains at rest; and the gears G and iii and rotors i3 and H rotate, thelatter in the direction of their respective spiders and 8.

When the field of one generator, for example the field 29 of thegenerator I8 is made stronger than the other, electrical load developsat the generator l8 and it drives the generator 19 as a motor. The loadon the generator l8 slows it down, and the action of the generator 59 asa motor speeds it up. The generator i8 slow down the gear 6 therebystarting up the gear 'i and the gear 24. The motor I9 speeds up andpeeds up the gear it which starts up the gear H and the gear 25, in thesame direction as the gears l and 24.

The gear 26 is thereby rotated by the gears 2e and 25 and rotates thearm 28 in a prescribed direction. The reverse would be true if the field2! were made stronger than the field 20, or the field 20 were madeweaker than the field 2|; and the arm 28 would be moved in the reversedirection.

The net result is that the arm 28 will be rotated in one direction ortheother as. one field 2B 'or 2! is made stronger than the other.

In either case, one generator acts as a brake on the differentialgearing, but the braking energy is not dissipated or lost, beingconverted into electrical energy in the circuit 22-43 and thence intomechanical energy in the other generator as a motor, and supplied thenceback into the gearing system.

At 29 is indicated in diagrammatic or generalized manner an apparatus,circuit, process, etc. etc. to and through which electric load currentflows from a supply main 30. It i the function of this embodiment of theinvention to maintain this current at a constant value in spite of itstendency to deviate from that value because of whatever may be going onin the apparatus, circuit, process, etc. represented at 29.

The current fiows'from the apparatus 29 by a wire 3| through part of aresistor 32 to the arm :28 (the arm and resistor constituting arheostat), thence by wire 33 t0 energize the field 2t, thenceby wire34to the other supply main 35.

The field 2! is energized in correspondence with the potential of thesupply mains 35, being connected across them by wires 3fi3'l; and whichpotential is presumed to be constant.

Manual rheostats 38 and 39 are provided in the line of the wires 36 and34 respectively to adjust 26 and 2E.

4 the energization of the field 2i and 2t relatively. An ammeter 49indicates the current value being regulated.

In operation, with motor it running, and for any given value of thefield 2!, if the fields 22- 2| are out of balance, because, say, thefield 25 is stronger than the field 25, the arm 23 will rotate in thedirection to cut more of the resistor 32 into the circuit,thereby'reducing the current and also weakening the field 29 itself, andthis goes on until a balance is reached as between the fields (If thedirection of movement of the arm 28 is opposite to that just mentioned,this is corrected once for all by reversing the direction of the motorit.) If the current then flowing in the load 29, is indicated on theamrneter at is too small, the field 2! is adjusted at the rheostat 38 tostrengthen it; and vice versa; until the correct or wanted orpredetermined value flows.

Thereafter, any tendency for the current in the load 29, resistor 32 andfield 2:! to deviate from the predetermined value throws the fields 2th-2! out of balance, and rotates the arm 28 in the direction to counteractthe deviation and restore I the predetermined value.

It will be understood that deviation in the direction to reduce thecurrent will make the field 2i stronger than the field 2e, and deviationto increase it will make the field 29 the stronger one.

As stated, it is presumed that the voltage of the main supply lines39-45 is constant to maintain constant the efiect of the field 2!. Incases, in which there is too much variation of this line potential, themodification of Fig. 1A may be utilized. Here a constant held for thegenerator i9 is provided by a permanent magnet 5|.

When the rheostat 39 is manipulated, the current value will be changedand cause the arm 28 to move to a new position to restore the currentvalue. By this means, the range of regulating movement of the arm 28over the resistor 32 can be kept, in general, in the middle portion ofthe resistor, without liability that the arm will be moved beyond eitherend of the resistor during regulating movements thereof.

In the form of Fig. 2, the differential gearings 2-'-3 and driving motorId of Fig. 1 are utilized and to simplify the drawing are indicated bythe broken line enclosure i, reproduced from Fig. i. The generators iii-H3, output shaft 2, and arm 28 are reproduced from Fig. 1.

A permanent magnet '43 provides a constant held for the generator i9 andthe generator 18 has a variable field as indicated at Ml.

Here the invention is applied to regulate to a constant value, thepotential drop across, or the potential impressed upon, a load 45, whichas will now be apparent to be within the purview of the v invention, maybe any kind of a process, circuit,

apparatus, etc.

Apair of supply mains 66- 2? have a voltage divider resistor, orpotentiometer type resistor, it, across the mains 26- 37.

The arm 28 contacts the resistor at an intermediate point and apotential wir '59 from one end 59 of the resistor to one side of theload 45, and a potential wire 5| from the arm 23 to the other side,impress upon the load the drop of potential in the resistor iiioccurring between the point 50 and the arm 28, and which is varied toregulate it by movement of the arm 23.

This potential is impressed upon the field 46. by wires 52- 53 connectedacross the load 45.

The effectiveness of the field 64 relative to that produced by themagnet 43 may be adjusted by a rheostat 54, whereby the fields may bebalanced at a desired or predetermined potential on the load 45 andcorresponding energization of the field 44.

As described for Fig. 1, when the lower field (as viewed in the drawing)here 44, predominates over the upper field of the magnet 43, the arm 28is moved upwardly; and vice versa.

Any increase in potential at the load 45 due to any cause, strengthensthe field 44, disturbs the balance of the two fields, causes the arm 28to move upwardly and cut out some of the resistance 48 and restores thebalance of the fields and restores the potential to the desired value.

In the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2, where a double differential gearingis employed, the effect of the upper field (as viewed in the drawing)tends to move the arm 28 clockwise; and the effect of the lower fieldtends to move it counterclockwise and is balanced against the constanteffect of the upper field. The constant effect of the upper field istherefore properly considered as a constant biasing effect. This bias bythe upper field becomes more readily apparent when it is realized thatif the lower field be deenergized or weakened, the effect of the upperfield being ever present will cause the arm 28 to be moved clockwise.

In the forms of Figs. 3 and 4, a single differential gearing is utilizedand the effect of a single field is balanced against a constant bias inthe form of a mechanical torque. The torque is preferably produced by abiasing spring and the efiect of the field is balanced against thespringproduced torque bias. In Fig. 3, a transmission in the broken linerectangle 55 comprises a differential gearing 51 having a spider 58,pinion 59 and. gears 55-61, the former driving a generator 62 having anadjustable load circuit 63 and a field identified by a winding 64. Thegear GI drives a load shaft 65 which moves an arm 66 over a rheostatresistor 61. A motor 68 continnously drives the spider 58.

Current is supplied from a supply main 89 through a load II by wire 72,resistance 61, arm 95, wire '13, winding 64, wire 14 to supply main 18.

An adjustable spring connected at one end to the arm 66 exerts constanttorque on the arm in the direction to cut out resistance 61; and isadjustable by a screw 76 at its other end.

The arrangement operates to maintain the current in the load I!constant.

The effect of the desired predetermined current energizing field B4 isbalanced against the spring 55 when the arm 56 is in a normal position.

If the current for any reason starts to change, for example starts torise, it increases energization of the field 54, and increases thetorque at the generator 52 and correspondingly at the gear 9! and arm 55which latter overcomes the spring 75 and moves the arm 66 to cut in moreresistance 5'! until the corresponding reduced effect of the field i4 isagain balanced by the bias of the spring 15.

The arrangement of Fig. 4 is similar to that of Fig. 3, but regulates toa constant value the potential across a load 11.

The potential drop through part 78 of a resister it between supply linesBil-8| is supplied by a wir 82, and by the arm 56 and a wire 83, acrossthe load 17.

The potential across the load energizes a field 84 by wires 85-86.

The transmission 56, the generator 6?, arm 55, and spring T5 arereproduced in Fig. 4 from Fig. 3.

The effect of the field 84 is normally balanced against the bias of thespring 15, at a predetermined potential energizing the field 84. Upon achange of potential at the load I1, say an increase, the eiiect of thefield 84 is increased and overpowers the spring 15 and moves the arm 65toward the main to reduce the impressed potential to weaken the field 84to again reach a balance and restore thepotential to its predeterminedvalue.

In the foregoing forms, Figs. 1 to 4, the system is for direct current.In Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are illustrated embodiments of the invention foruses where the load to be regulated is an alternating current load, butwhere it is desired to retain the advantages of direct current in theregulator parts.

A brief description will sufiice for these and following forms, in viewof the more detailed description of preceding forms.

Fig. 5 regulates to constant value the current in a load 81.

A transformer 88 has its primary 89 energized across alternating currentmains 989I; and its secondary 92 has a number of tap connections 93-93engageable successively by an arm 94 movable thereover. More or less ofthe secondary 92 is connected in series with the load 81 by awire 95,and by the arm 94 and a wire 96.

Reproduced from Fig. 1 are the double difierential transmission I andthe two generators i8! 9, their load circuit 22-23, and the output shaft21 to operate the arm 94.

Fields 91-98 for the generators 18-49 are energized with rectifiedalternating current, the field 98 being supplied by wires 99lll0 from arectifier loop l0l, connected across the alternating current mains -9!by wires l02-l03.

The field 91 is energized by wires 104-105 connected to a rectifier loopI06 which is energized by wires l0ll08 from the secondary I09 of acurrent transformer ill! in the line of the series load wire 96.

The field 91 is thus energized proportionally to the load current andits efiect is balanced against the bias of the field 98, to cause thearm 94 to take up positions at which the current in the load 81 isconstant.

In Fig. 6, similar to Fig. 5, having the double differentialtransmission l and the two generators i8 and i9 impresses the potentialof a transformer secondary Ill upon a load H2 by a wire H3 and by thearm 94 and a wire H4.

The generator [9 has a constant biasing field provided by a permanentmagnet H5.

The field H8 of the generator 13 is energized by wires l II-l 18 from arectifier loop I I9 which is connected by wires l2 9|2l across the load1 i2.

The field H6 is thus energized proportionally to the potential acrossthe load, and its effect is balanced against the effect of the field H5to cause the arm 94 to take up positions at which the potential on theload is constant.

In Fig. 7, a form is illustrated utilizing a single differentialtransmission 56, a generator 52 having a load circuit 63 and an outputshaft 65 reproduced from Fig. 3, and for simplification of the drawings,a throw-over switch at 122 is provided by which the system can beconverted from one illustrating regulation to constant current, to oneillustrating regulation to constant potential.

With the switch I22 thrown to the right as viewed in the drawing, thetransformer I23 supplies current from its secondary I24 to a load I25 bywire I26 and thence by wire I27 to the arm 28, which is biased by theadjustable spring 15.

A current transformer I29 in the line of the wire I2? supplies currentfrom its secondary I39 through the switch I22 to wires I3II32 to arectifier loop I33, which by wires I34--I35 energizes the field I36 ofthe generator I52, proportionally to the current in the load I25.

The effect of the field I36 is balanced against the spring "I at apredetermined value of current in the load 125 to maintain the loadcurrent constant.

With the switch 32-2 thrown to the left, the rectifier is energized fromthe potential across the load I25, by wires I3? I38 and I3II32, and thefield I35 therefore is energized proportionally to that potential. theload I is supplied from the transformer secondary I25 by wire I26 and bywire I2"? and arm I28. The system then operates to balance the efiect ofthe field i against the bias of the spring it to maintain the loadpotential constant.

In Figs. 8 and 9 are illustrated embodiments of the invention for useswhere the load to be regulated is an alternating current load, and whereit is desired to eliminate rectification and to have the advantages ofusing alternating current generators in the regulator parts.

In Fig. 8, for simplification, there is a throw over switch I39 by whichthe system can changed from one illustrating constant current :w

regulation to one illustrating constant potential regulation.

A double differential gearing transmission I, having an output shaft 27,is reproduced from 1 and two generators Ids-MI to be described areassociated therewith corresponding to the generators I3 and I9 of Fig.l.

The generators Its-4d! have the construction of squirrel cage inductionmotors comprising rotors Ids-I 33, and polyphase (in this illus; trativeexample, three phase) stator windings i-id'Id5-ld6 and I i'I--Id8--Id9,but the stator windings in each stator are connected in series shown.

At the motor I 39, the field hid-Jfi-ME is I connected by mains I5IlI5Ito the switch Its whereby in a manner to be described the field may beenergized with alternating current or alternating potential at a load I52.

At the motor iii, the field I4?-I48-I59 is connected by mains HES-I54across alternating current supply mains I55I53.

With the switch I39 thrown to the right, a transformer I51 having aprimary I53 across the mains I55I56 supplies current from its secondarylaid by Wire Its to and through the load $52, thence by wire IIBIthrough the switch I323 to main I53, through the field I-i lIdiI lt, bywire IE! to the switch I39, and by wire I32 to arm I63.

Torque to drive the generator ItIJ varies with tendency of the loadcurrent to vary and is balanced against the constant biasing torque todrive the generator MI, and the arm I53 is moved to maintain the balanceand maintain the load cur rent constant.

When the switch I39 is thrown to the left, potential of the secondaryI5f-l is impressed upon the load I52 by wire I60, and by wire IBIQa wireIts, switch I39, a wire I55, wire I62, and

The potential impressed on arm I63; and the potential across the loadI52 energizes the field of the motor I48; being connected to itsmain Iby a wire I66 and switch I39 and to its main I5I by a wire I6! andswitch I 39. The torque of the generator I4!) is thus made proportionalto the potential across the load and is balanced'against the biasingtorque of the generator Mite maintain the load potential constant.

In this connection, the conditions at the load W2, and the character ofthe load, are assumed to be such that while the potential supplied tothe generalized load circuit as a whole may be constant for any givenposition of the arm I63, due to constant voltage of the mains I-I56, thepotential drop in the actual load, or part of the load circuit hereconsidered as the load I52,

may vary, and'to keep it constant regulation is necessary.

As to the generators ism-Mi, it is known that when the stator windingsof an induction motor are connected to a source of alternating current,

and the rotor is driven above the synchronous speedof the stator,themotor becomes a generator; and the mains supplying exciting currentto the stator field function also as the load circuitmainsoi thegenerator conducting alternating load current from the generator andsupplying it back to the alternating current source. The excitingcurrent is out of phase withthe generated current, so that both flowover the same mains; and an angle of displacement between themautomatically occurs due to electrical conditions inherent in such anarrangement.

In Fig. 9, a single differential gearing transmission 56, output shaft65, arm 66 and biasing spring 75, are reproduced from Fig. 3i and thetransmission drives a generator I68 of the type described for Fig. 8comprising a rotor I81 and polyphase field windings ltd-IIIi-I'Hconnected in series across mains I'IE-IIS. 7

By means of a throw-over switch I1 3, the figure illustrates bothconstant current regulation and constant potential regulation.

With the switch IId thrown to the right, current from a transformersecondary I15, induced by a primary I'It connected across mains I'll-I78is supplied by a wire lie to a load I80, thence by wire IBI, switch I15,wire I12, field I'69'I'Id-III, wire H3, switch I74, and a wire I82 toarm66.

The torque of the generator I68 due to variations of current in the loadI88 is balanced against the constant bias torque of the spring 35, andthe load current is maintained constant.

With the switch I745 thrown to the left, potential of the transformersecondary is impressed on the circuit or apparatus comprising the loadIBIl,

by wire I79 and by wire IBI, a wire I83, switch 171 a wire I34, wireI82, and arm 66.

The potential drop across the load I89 energizes the field IG9--I?d-I?I, being connected to the field main I12 by a wire I85,through switch lid, and to the field main I13, by a wire I85, throughthe switch I'I l.

The torque of the generator I63 due to variations of potential drop inthe load I89 is now balanced against the constant bias torque of thespring I5 and the potential drop is maintained constant.

I claim:

1. In an electrical regulating apparatus for regulating to substantiallya predetermined value an electrical quantity of an electric circuit, aregulator connected to the circuit and comprising an alternately movableregulator part effective to respectively increase and decrease theelectrical quantity of the circuit by its alternate movement; a powertransmission of the differential gearing type, comprising a rotary powerinput part adapted to be connected to and continuously driven atsubstantially constant speed by a rotary power source; and comprising arotary output element, and two rotary torque developing elements towhich elements input torque from the power source is differentiallytransmitted; the rotary torque developing elements being in the form ofelectric generators having electric load circuits and magnetic fieldsand developing torque to resist being rotated commensurable with thestrengths of their fields, and one having a field of substantiallyconstant strength and the other energized by a winding and of strengthcommensurable with its energization; the transmission applying a biasingtorque from the output element to the regulator part commensurable withthe torque developed by the one generator tending to move the regulatorpart in one direction; and the transmission applying variable torquefrom the output element to the regulator part commensurable with thetorque developed by the other generator tending to move the regulatorpart in the other direction; the said field winding of the othergenerator being connected to be energized commensurably with the saidelectrical quantity; and the transmission responding to energization ofthe field winding to eifect a balance between said applied torques at apredetermined value of said electrical quantity.

2. In an electrical regulating apparatus for regulating to substantiallya predetermined value an electrical quantity of an electric circuit; apower transmission comprising two, three-gearelement differentialgearings; one element of each gearing adapted to be continuously drivenby a rotary power source at substantially constant speed; anotherelement of each gearing being connected to a rotary power outputelement; the third element of each gearing connected to a rotarytorque-developing generator having an energizing field and a loadcircuit; means maintaining one field substantially constant; circuitmeans energizing the other field in correspondenc with values of saidelectrical quantity; the transmission responding to the predeterminedvalue of the electrical quantity or deviations therefrom to maintain theoutput element at rest or to rotate it in alternate direction due to thetorques of the generators being balanced or one predominating over theother, as the predetermined value of the electrical quantity ordeviations therefrom efiects balance or unbalance of the generatorfields; an alternately movable regulator element and means controlled byits alternate movements to increase and decrease the electricalquantity; and means communicating movements of the output element to theregulator element.

3. The regulating apparatus described in claim 1 and in which theelectric circuit whose electrical quantity is to be regulated, is analternating current circuit; and in which the electric generators havethe construction of polyphase squirrel cage induction motors, and theinput torque is differentially transmitted to their rotors; and thepolyphase stator windings of each are connected in series; and thewindings of one generator are energized with alternating current atsubstantially constant value, and the windings of the other generatorare energized with alternating current commensurably with the saidelectrical quantity.

LEV A. TROFIMOV.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,299,509 Rey Apr. 8, 19191,832,322 Thompson Nov. 17, 1931 1,834,134 Paschen Dec. 1, 19311,994,324 Suits Mar. 12, 1935 2,384,776 Trofimov Sept. 11, 19452,421,560 Haynes June 3, 1947 2,445,342 Trofimov July 20, 1948

